Both gray-clad guards pressed their hands to their sword hilts at once.
The one on the left had already opened his mouth. "Who goes-"
But his words caught halfway out.
His gaze fell on the Command Token at Yi Yang's waist.
The flying-eagle insignia of the Pacification Office reflected coldly in the morning light, the small lettering above it perfectly clear.
Commander.
The left-hand guard's hand sprang away from his sword hilt as though he had been scalded.
He turned to glance at his companion, and the wariness on both their faces vanished within half a breath.
"M-my lord."
The guard on the left bent at the waist, his voice tangling as he spoke. "This humble servant did not realize the Commander had arrived. Please forgive my offense."
Yi Yang said nothing, simply standing there and waiting.
The one on the right reacted faster, calling into the courtyard behind him, "Go inform the alliance leader!"
A gray-clad disciple hurried away and vanished behind the screen wall.
The guards remaining at the entrance stepped aside to clear a path, gesturing inward and bowing even lower. "Please come inside, my lord."
At their invitation, Yi Yang stepped into the courtyard.
But the instant he crossed the threshold, his mental power spread outward.
Its vast reach laid the entire three-courtyard compound bare.
Six people in the front hall, fourteen in the middle courtyard, nine in the rear courtyard, and three concealed sentry posts tucked into corners.
More than thirty disciples occupied the compound, their auras ranging from qi-blood third level to second inner qi.
The strongest aura came from the rear courtyard's study: perfected early true astral, close to completing a hundred-forged body.
It belonged to the master of this place, Shen Kongming.
Yi Yang memorized the hidden sentries' positions, the little gate